Several owners of property on State Highway 124 attended the Russellville City Council meeting Thursday to voice concerns regarding construction work currently planned for the thoroughfare, questioning the legal ownership of property that may become roadway or sidewalk if the plan goes through.

The construction, which calls for work to be done on the south side of the highway, plans for sidewalks near the highway to allow for safer pedestrian use, as well as bicycle anemities. However, the ownership of some of the highway's right-of-way was put in question Thursday night.

Property owner Paul Stout, who lives near the intersection of North Detroit Avenue and Highway 124, said he owns an abstract deed showing his ownership of a 40-foot right-of-way on the southern end of the highway, though Arkansas Tech University is said to also own parts of the highway, Public Works Director Michael Oakes said.

"We are doing this project at the request of Arkansas Tech, partly, and they're allowing us use their property to do this." Oakes said.

Mayor Bill Eaton said the city will look into the deeds to determine the legal ownership of the land in the area.

"It warrants having the city take the time to look at this and determine if there are any discrepancies, and I think we should," Eaton said.

Alderman Garland Steuber, who represents the ward the in which the property in question lies, said conflicting ownership claims between several of the area's residents and ATU have sparked confusion in the area.

"It's created a lot of confusion in that area, and quite frankly these folks do have a right to be concerned," Steuber said. "But going along with that, as far as the sidewalk goes, I'm going to be the first to say that a sidewalk is desperately needed in that area. But we need to get these issues solved about where the right-of-way is, and who owns what before we move on the sidewalks."